DE102020105087A1 - Temperature detection device for a cooling device, method for detecting a temperature for a cooling device and cooling device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature detection device (110) for a cooling device (100), the temperature detection device (110) having at least the following features: a sensor device (120) which is designed to measure a temperature of a device arranged in the cooling device (100) cooling object (115) and to provide a sensor signal (130) representing the temperature; an evaluation unit (150) coupled to the sensor device (120) which is designed to observe the sensor signal (130) over a predetermined period of time, the Evaluation unit (150) comprises a microcontroller (uC) and an associated storage means (MEM) and is set up to recognize the object (115) to be cooled on the basis of the temporal behavior of the sensor signal (130), the storage means (MEM) being a table, Contains a characteristic curve or a mathematical model in order to determine a temperature value of the object to be cooled (115) on the basis thereof; andan output device (151) coupled to the evaluation unit (150) which is designed to output information (I) based on the determined temperature. The invention further relates to a cooling device (100) with such a temperature detection device (110) and a corresponding method .

Description

• eine Sensoreinrichtung, die dazu ausgebildet ist, um eine Temperatur eines in dem Kühlgerät angeordneten zu kühlenden Objekts zu erkennen und ein die Temperatur repräsentierendes Sensorsignal bereitzustellen.

The approach presented here relates to a temperature detection device for a cooling device, the temperature detection device having at least the following features:

• a sensor device which is designed to detect a temperature of an object to be cooled arranged in the cooling device and to provide a sensor signal representing the temperature.

In order to regulate an interior temperature in a refrigerator, it is possible to control individual storage chambers in a refrigerator differently.

the WO 2008 004748 A1 describes such a temperature control of an interior temperature of individual storage chambers in a refrigerator.

DE 10 2017 125 797 A1 discloses a temperature detection device in which individual bottles or objects are detected in the cooling device with an IR camera. Sufficiently chilled goods are highlighted as an image on a display or on an external device, or the sufficiently chilled goods are selectively illuminated.

This type of temperature detection can lead to misinterpretations for certain objects, so that objects that are not sufficiently cooled are presented to the user as being adequately cooled.

The approach presented here is based on the object of creating an improved temperature detection device for a cooling device, a cooling device with an improved temperature detection device and an improved method for detecting a temperature for an object to be cooled.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a temperature detection device for a cooling device, furthermore a cooling device with a temperature detection device and a method for detecting a temperature for a cooling device with the features or steps of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements and developments of the approach result from the respective subsequent dependent claims.

The advantages that can be achieved with the approach presented here are that an actual temperature of objects to be cooled stored in a cooling device is determined by means of a temperature detection device presented here. In this way, beverages can be removed from the cooling device as soon as they have reached the desired temperature, without having to open the cooling device beforehand and manually feel on the objects whether a desired temperature has already been reached. It is particularly advantageous that the behavior of the container wall of the object is taken into account, so that a very precise temperature indication of the contents in a container can be output. This is particularly advantageous for beverages or liquid foods because there are different containers for them. For example, drinks are held and stored in glass bottles, plastic canisters, tetra packs or cans. Metal cans in particular have a completely different temperature behavior than, for example, glass or plastic.

The temperature detection device for a cooling device comprises an evaluation unit which is coupled to the sensor device and is designed to observe the sensor signal over a predetermined period of time, the control device comprising a microcontroller and an associated storage means and being set up to use the temporal behavior of the sensor signal to to detect cooling object, the storage means containing a table, characteristic curve or mathematical model in order to determine a temperature value of the object to be cooled on the basis thereof; and
an output device coupled to the evaluation unit, which is designed to output information based on the determined temperature. The evaluation unit thus serves to record several sensor signals of the temperature measurement over a period of time and to evaluate the behavior of the signals. The material of the container can be recognized on the basis of the behavior. An inserted glass bottle cools down slowly until it reaches the interior temperature. The temperature of the contents roughly follows the temperature curve of the container wall. A metal can, on the other hand, cools down very quickly, whereas the contents cool down much more slowly. This property is known to the evaluation unit, so that a glass container is determined when slow cooling is detected. The temperature signal to be output now corresponds to the measured temperature, which can be given a constant factor. The temperature signal to be output indicates the temperature of the liquid content. If rapid cooling is detected, this is determined as a metal container. The temperature signal to be output now no longer corresponds to the measured temperature, but to a calculated value that depends on the duration of the insertion. The recorded temperature value has already cooled down to the value of the interior space after a short time, for example 2 minutes, so that this temperature deviates very strongly from the temperature of the contents.

The object to be cooled placed in the refrigerator can be a container for storing food, for example a bottle or metal can. Here, the sensor device can be designed to detect the temperature, for example of the bottom of the bottle or the bottom of the can. The temperature can be a current temperature of the object. The current temperature can be compared to a predetermined temperature which can represent a desired temperature of the object. The container with the liquid located therein, for example a beverage liquid, is regarded as the object.

According to an expedient embodiment, the sensor device is designed to detect the surface of the object in a contactless manner. As a result, easy and simple handling with regard to insertion or removal is provided for the user.

To sense the temperature, the sensor device can have at least one sensor that senses electromagnetic waves. The sensor that senses electromagnetic waves can be an infrared sensor, for example an IR sensor, preferably a FLIR sensor, i. H. a so-called “forward-looking” infrared sensor, and / or a thermal image sensor and / or a camera device, for example a thermal imaging camera device. Such sensors, which sense electromagnetic waves, can detect temperatures of individual objects. The sensor device can also have a plurality of the sensors mentioned. A contact-based sensor can also be used, which detects the temperature of the container surface. It is important that no probe is inserted into the interior of the container. The containers to be stored can therefore remain closed.

In an overall advantageous embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed or set up to output the information when the determined temperature value reaches or exceeds a predetermined limit value. As a result, the communication medium is only active when the trigger event "Limit temperature reached" occurs. Said information can be output on an output means, such as a display or an illuminated display, as a message or as an acoustic signal.

In a further or alternative embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed or set up to output the information which contains the currently determined temperature value. In this way, the user can obtain the current temperature of the object, in particular of the contents in the said container, at any time.

In an overall expedient embodiment, the output device is designed to output the information to a display device. The display device can display the information received as plain text or in coded form. The user can read the display device, in particular a display.

In a further, generally advantageous embodiment, the evaluation unit is designed to output the information via a wireless interface to a mobile device, for example a PC, smartphone or tablet PC, in order to effect the display using a software application in the display device. The user is therefore not spatially bound if he wants to receive or read off the determined temperature value of the stored object or the contents. In this way, the temperatures of the objects on the external device can also be detected remotely from the cooling device, for example in another room or during a party outside a building. For this purpose, the output device can advantageously be designed to output the information to the mobile device via a wireless interface in order to effect the display using a software application, for example a mobile phone app, in the display device.

• - einen Aufnahmeraum für die zu kühlenden Objekte,
• - ein Kühlaggregat zum Erzeugen von kalter Luft in dem Aufnahmeraum;
• - eine Temperaturerkennungsvorrichtung wie vorstehend oder nachstehend beschrieben;
• - eine Steuereinrichtung zum Steuern des Kühlaggregats, wobei die Steuereinrichtung des Kühlgerätes ferner die Auswerteeinheit mit umfasst bzw. zur Bereitstellung der Funktionen der Auswerteeinheit eingerichtet ist zur Steuerung der Temperaturerkennungsvorrichtung.

The invention also relates to a cooling device comprising

• - a room for the objects to be cooled,
• - A cooling unit for generating cold air in the receiving space;
• a temperature detection device as described above or below;
• - A control device for controlling the cooling unit, wherein the control device of the cooling device further includes the evaluation unit or is set up to provide the functions of the evaluation unit for controlling the temperature detection device.

The refrigerator can be a refrigerator or a freezer. The temperature detection device can be used as a supplement for a known cooling device.

In an advantageous embodiment, the temperature detection device is integrated as a functional module in the cooling device. The evaluation unit can thus be coupled to the control device in such a way that the cooling operation is influenced as a function of the determined temperature values. For example, the cooling capacity can be increased if the calculated cooling of the object placed in the interior and to be monitored takes place too slowly. After raising the Cooling performance or lowering the interior temperature, the cooling of the object is accelerated.

In another embodiment of the cooling device, the temperature detection device is designed as a separate module and can be inserted into or removed from the interior. The evaluation device is implemented as a software module in the control device or integrated as a separate part in the module, there being a data connection with the control device of the cooling device.

• - Erfassen einer Temperatur eines in dem Kühlgerät angeordneten zu kühlenden Objekts zu einem ersten Zeitpunkt;
• - Erfassen einer Temperatur eines in dem Kühlgerät angeordneten zu kühlenden Objekts zu einem zweiten, späteren Zeitpunkt;
• - Ermitteln der Differenz zwischen der zweiten Temperatur und der ersten Temperatur;
• - Ermitteln einer Information unter Zuhilfenahme einer Tabelle, einer Kennlinie oder eines mathematischen Modells, wenn der Betrag der Differenz einen vorgegebenen Grenzwert überschreitet, oder
• - Ermitteln einer Information nur unter Zuhilfenahme der erfassten Temperatur; und
• - Ausgeben der ermittelten Information an eine Ausgabeeinrichtung.

The invention also relates to a method for detecting a temperature for a cooling device, the method comprising at least the following steps:

• - Detecting a temperature of an object to be cooled arranged in the cooling device at a first point in time;
• - Detecting a temperature of an object to be cooled arranged in the cooling device at a second, later point in time;
• Determining the difference between the second temperature and the first temperature;
• - Determination of information with the aid of a table, a characteristic curve or a mathematical model, if the amount of the difference exceeds a predetermined limit value, or
• - Determination of information only with the aid of the recorded temperature; and
• - Outputting the ascertained information to an output device.

This method can be carried out and / or controlled using the temperature detection device presented above. The advantages of the temperature detection device already described can also be implemented in a technically simple and cost-effective manner by means of such a method.

• 1 eine schematische Darstellung eines Kühlgeräts mit einer Temperaturerkennungsvorrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel;
• 2 bis 3 eine schematische Darstellung einer Anzeigeeinrichtung gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel; und
• 4 ein Ablaufdiagramm eines Verfahrens zum Erkennen einer Temperatur für ein Kühlgerät gemäß einem Ausführungsbeispiel.

Embodiments of the approach are shown purely schematically in the drawings and are described in more detail below. Show it

• 1 a schematic representation of a cooling device with a temperature detection device according to an embodiment;
• 2 until 3 a schematic representation of a display device according to an embodiment; and
• 4th a flowchart of a method for detecting a temperature for a cooling device according to an embodiment.

In the following description of advantageous exemplary embodiments of the present approach, identical or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and having a similar effect, a repeated description of these elements being dispensed with.

1 shows a schematic representation of a cooling device 100 with a temperature detection device 110 according to an embodiment. The illustration shows an example of a refrigerator or freezer 100 for air-conditioned and / or temperature-controlled storage of food. This has a through the housing 105 formed interior 101 , the one with a side-hinged front door 106 can be closed. The interior 101 can by inserting shelves 103 in the holder provided for this purpose 107 in the side interior wall 108 variable in sub-rooms 102 be subdivided.

The temperature detection device 110 is according to this embodiment in a cooling room 101 of the cooling unit 100 added, which is shaped according to this embodiment as a refrigerator.

The temperature detection device 110 has a sensor device 120 and an output device. The sensor device 120 is designed to use a sensor 121 a temperature of one in the refrigerator 100 arranged object to be cooled 115 to detect and provide a sensor signal representing the temperature. The output device 151 is with the sensor device 120 coupled and designed to output temperature information I using the sensor signal.

According to this exemplary embodiment, the sensor device 120 at least one sensor that senses electromagnetic waves 125 on. This can be an infrared sensor, for example. The sensor device 120 is designed to provide a current temperature of the surface of at least one of the objects 115 to sense. The temperature detection device 110 or the sensor device 120 can do this with one or more sensors 125 include to the temperature of several objects 115 to be able to capture. In the in 1 The example shown is the temperature detection device 110 with the sensor device 120 in the interior 101 , 102 attached, in such a way that a temperature detection as possible all in the compartment 102 objects located 115 can be done. Alternatively or in combination, the temperature detection device 110 with the sensor device 120 in the interior 110 , preferred in the upper third of the interior 101 , to be appropriate.

The output device 151 is designed to send information I via a wired or wireless interface to a display device 119 to submit. The display device 119 is located in the cooling device 100 and is designed as a display to show the user plain text or temperature values as a number.

In the example shown, there is also the variant with the integration of an external device 200 shown. In this case, the information is transmitted by means of the output device 151 to the external device 200 with a display device 219 or mobile device 200 transmitted to this information I using a software application on the display 219 emit or emit a warning tone or a vibration alarm.

• Anders als bei einer bekannten Temperaturregelung, bei der eine Innenraumtemperatur einzelner Lagerkammern 102 in einem Kühlschrank 100 geregelt wird, wird bei der hier vorgestellten Temperaturerkennungsvorrichtung 110 die tatsächliche Temperatur der eingelagerten Gegenstände in Form der Objekte 115 erfasst, wobei die Temperatur des Inhalts 116 des jeweiligen Objekts 115 ermittelt wird. Dies geschieht anhand einer Berechnung, die die Auswerteeinheit 150 durchführt. Die Auswerteeinheit 150 ist bevorzugt als Teil der Steuereinrichtung 118 bzw. der Mikrocontroller uC implementiert. Die Berechnungsregel, Formel, Tabelle oder das mathematische Modell ist dabei im Speicher MEM als Software abgespeichert.

In the following, exemplary embodiments are based on 1 and 2 again described in other words:

• In contrast to a known temperature control, in which an interior temperature of individual storage chambers 102 in a refrigerator 100 is regulated, is in the case of the temperature detection device presented here 110 the actual temperature of the stored objects in the form of the objects 115 detected, the temperature of the content 116 of the respective object 115 is determined. This is done using a calculation made by the evaluation unit 150 performs. The evaluation unit 150 is preferred as part of the control device 118 or the microcontroller uC implemented. The calculation rule, formula, table or the mathematical model is stored in the memory MEM as software.

The temperature detection device presented here 110 is therefore designed to measure the temperature of the surface of the object 115 to measure and based on the above measures to calculate or determine the temperature value of the content and to display and report the perfectly chilled goods in a display 219 on a mobile device 200 as an app or on the device display 119 to enable.

At a party or otherwise, if there are a lot of objects 115 should be cooled and you do not want to remove a last set and not yet cooled drink or food, there is thanks to the temperature detection device 110 now the option without opening the refrigerator door 106 and a manual feeling to determine which goods 115 is already sufficiently cooled.

The sensor device 120 the temperature detection device 110 includes according to this embodiment ( 2 ) an infrared sensor 125 and / or a FLIR sensor and / or at least one camera module. By means of a measuring beam 126 can be detected by the sensor 125 the surface temperature of the object 115 , for example one with liquid 116 filled beverage can. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor device comprises 120 two or more sensors 125 in order to be able to record several objects separately. By means of the signal line 130 the sensor signals, which each correspond to a recorded temperature value, are sent to the evaluation unit 150 transmitted.

• Die Ausgabeeinrichtung 151 der Auswerteeinheit 150 ist bevorzugt in der Steuereinrichtung 118 des Gerätes 100 integriert und dazu eingerichtet, die Information I hinsichtlich der ermittelten Temperatur über eine drahtlose Schnittstelle 151 an das mobile Gerät 200 auszugeben, wobei das Anzeigen gemäß diesem Ausführungsbeispiel unter Verwendung einer Softwareanwendung in der Anzeigeeinrichtung 219 bewirkt wird (1).

The following is the essential functionality of the temperature detection device 110 again described in other words:

• The output device 151 the evaluation unit 150 is preferred in the control device 118 of the device 100 integrated and set up for this purpose, the information I with regard to the determined temperature via a wireless interface 151 to the mobile device 200 output, the displaying according to this embodiment using a software application in the display device 219 is effected ( 1 ).

3 shows the temperature detection device 110 as a separate module 112 that are in the interior 101 , 102 can be inserted or removed. It contains all essential components for determining the temperature and evaluating it. On a base 111 is the object to be measured 115 hung up. On the carrier 111 is the sensor device 120 attached, which in turn is the sensor 125 and the evaluation unit 150 includes. The evaluation unit 150 comprises in this arrangement the output device 151 that the determined or calculated temperature signal as information I by means of data transmission, wired, wireless or by means of a data network and / or a telecom network to a display device 119 ( 1 ) or a mobile device 200 ( 1 ) to transmit. The transmission of information I applies in the same way to the other embodiments ( 1 , 2 ).

4th shows a flow chart of a method for detecting a temperature for a cooling device 100 according to an embodiment.

This is preferably a method that is used by the in 1 , 2 , 3 sketched and described temperature detection device 110 is controllable or executable.

• Erfassen (S1) einer Temperatur eines in dem Kühlgerät (100) angeordneten zu kühlenden Objekts (115) zu einem ersten Zeitpunkt;
• Erfassen (S2) einer Temperatur eines in dem Kühlgerät (100) angeordneten zu kühlenden Objekts (115) zu einem zweiten, späteren Zeitpunkt;
• Ermitteln der Differenz zwischen der zweiten Temperatur und der ersten Temperatur im Schritt S3;
• Ermitteln einer Information unter Zuhilfenahme einer Tabelle, einer Kennlinie oder eines mathematischen Modells, wenn der Betrag der Differenz einen vorgegebenen Grenzwert überschreitet im Schritt S4A, oder
• Ermitteln einer Information nur unter Zuhilfenahme der erfassten Temperatur im Schritt S4B; und
• Ausgeben S5 der ermittelten Information I an eine Anzeigeeinrichtung 119, 200, 219.

The method comprises at least the following steps:

• Capture ( S1 ) a temperature of one in the cooling device ( 100 ) arranged object to be cooled ( 115 ) at a first point in time;
• Capture ( S2 ) a temperature of one in the cooling device ( 100 ) arranged object to be cooled ( 115 ) at a second, later point in time;
• Determining the difference between the second temperature and the first temperature in step S3 ;
• Determining information with the aid of a table, a characteristic curve or a mathematical model when the amount of the difference exceeds a predetermined limit value in step S4A, or
• Determining information only with the aid of the detected temperature in step S4B; and
• Output S5 the determined information I to a display device 119 , 200 , 219 .

In step S1 of the detection, a temperature becomes one in the refrigerator 100 arranged object to be cooled 115 detected, preferably immediately after placing the object in the refrigerator 101 , 102 . In step S2 becomes the cooling object 115 examined a further time after a predetermined period of time, for example 10 seconds. The temperature difference between the two recorded temperature values is then evaluated. If the difference exceeds a predetermined value, then step 4a activated, in which a value is calculated based on the recorded first temperature value, which is dependent on the duration of the storage. This is the case when, for example, a filled metal beverage can is to be monitored. The metal can 115 cools down much faster than the content 116 so that the detected rapid cooling is recognized as a metal can in step S4a. The temperature value is then output on the basis of a calculated value that is provided as information I in step S5 is output and by means of a display device 119 or an external device 200 with display 219 is shown.

If in step S3 falls below the difference between the recorded temperature values, this means that the recorded surface temperature of the object corresponds approximately to the content 116 corresponds to, as is the case with glass bottles or plastic containers. In this case, the information to be output is determined in step S4B on the basis of the temperature value recorded in each case. The recorded value can expediently be blown with a correction factor in order to take into account the insulating behavior of the container material.

Here the different cooling behavior of the different materials of the container to be measured becomes 115 evaluated. With metal vessels 115 the temperature drops when it is placed in the refrigerator compartment 101 , 102 > 15 K within 1 minute.

With other vessels, the temperature drops when they are placed in the refrigerator compartment 101 , 102 within the same time (i.e. 1 minute) by <4 K.

That means when in step S2 within 1 minute of the first detection in the step S1 the one with the sensor 125 or the device 120 If the detected temperature drop is> 10 K, preferably greater than or equal to 15 K, it is a metal vessel. In addition, the metal vessel reaches a constant temperature after 30 minutes, while other vessels require> 6 hours to attain a constant temperature. So if a constant temperature is not reached after more than 0.5 - 1 hour, it is not a metal vessel.

This dynamic temperature behavior is used in the evaluation at either step 4A to be carried out if a metal vessel has been recognized or step S4B if no metal vessel has been recognized.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• WO 2008004748 A1 [0003]
• DE 102017125797 A1 [0004]

Claims (15)

Temperature detection device (110) for a cooling device (100), the temperature detection device (110) having at least the following features: a sensor device (120) which is designed to detect a temperature of an object (115) to be cooled arranged in the cooling device (100) and to provide a sensor signal (130) representing the temperature; an evaluation unit (150) which is coupled to the sensor device (120) and is designed to observe the sensor signal (130) over a predetermined period of time, the evaluation unit (150) comprising a microcontroller (uC) and an associated memory means (MEM) and is set up to recognize the object (115) to be cooled on the basis of the behavior of the sensor signal (130) over time, the storage means (MEM) containing a table, characteristic curve or mathematical model in order to use it to determine a temperature value of the object (115) to be cooled. to investigate; and an output device (151) which is coupled to the evaluation unit (150) and is designed to output information (I) based on the determined temperature. Temperature detection device (110) according to FIG Claim 1 , in which the sensor device (120) is designed to detect the surface of the object (115) without contact. Temperature detection device (110) according to FIG Claim 1 or 2 in which the sensor device (120) has at least one sensor (125) that senses electromagnetic waves. Temperature detection device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (120) comprises an IR sensor. Temperature detection device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (120) comprises a thermal imaging camera. Temperature detection device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the evaluation unit (150) is designed or set up to output the information (I) when the determined temperature value reaches or exceeds a predetermined limit value. Temperature detection device (110) according to one of the Claims 1 until 5 , wherein the evaluation unit (150) is designed or set up to output the information (I) which contains the currently determined temperature value. Temperature detection device (110) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the output device (151) is designed to output the information (I) to a display device (119, 200, 219). Temperature detection device (110) according to Claim 6 in which the evaluation unit (150) is designed to output the information (I) via a wireless interface (151) to a mobile device (200) in order to effect the display using a software application in the display device (219). Cooling device (100), comprising - A receiving space (101, 102) for the objects (115) to be cooled, - A cooling unit (140) for generating cold air in the receiving space (101, 102); - A temperature detection device (110) according to one of the preceding claims; - A control device (118) for controlling the cooling unit, the control device (118) of the cooling device also including the evaluation unit (150) or being set up to provide the functions of the evaluation unit (150) for controlling the temperature detection device (110). Cooling device (100) Claim 10 wherein the temperature detection device (110) is integrated as a functional module in the cooling device. Cooling device (100) Claim 10 , wherein the temperature detection device (110) is designed as a separate module (112) and can be inserted into or removed from the interior space (101, 102). A method for detecting a temperature for a cooling device (100), the method comprising at least the following steps: Detecting (S1) a temperature of an object (115) to be cooled arranged in the cooling device (100) at a first point in time; Detecting (S2) a temperature of an object (115) to be cooled arranged in the cooling device (100) at a second, later point in time; Determining (S3) the difference between the second temperature and the first temperature; Determination (S4A) of information (I) with the aid of a table, a characteristic curve or a mathematical model when the amount of the difference exceeds a predetermined limit value, or Determination (S4B) of information (I) only with the aid of the detected temperature; and Outputting (S5) the determined information (I) to an output device or display device (119, 219). Temperature detection device (110) according to one of the Claims 1 until 9 , wherein the evaluation unit (150) is set up to carry out the method according to Claim 13 perform. Cooling device (100) according to one of the Claim 10 until 12th , comprising a temperature detection device (110) according to Claim 14 .

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